Parks Canada’s fire crew has been kept busy recently dealing with spot fires in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks.
“There are two fires burning in Glacier National Park with no immediate threat to people or facilities,” Simon Hunt, Simon Hunt, Parks Canada’s fire management officer, said Friday.
The Ross Peak Fire is about 10 kilometres west of Rogers Pass and is on a slope so steep that attacking it on foot was considered too risky. It is being held at its current size by helicopter bucketing.
The Bald Hills Fire in the Beaver Valley near the eastern boundary of the park continues to burn and is being managed by Parks Canada’s initial attack fire crews using directed burning to remove adjacent fuels to prevent the fire spread ing outside the park. Both fires are visible from the Trans-Canada Highway, he said.
Hunt said Parks Canada regards fire as a component of the natural cycle that “are an important part of the health of our forests.” Wildfires can be dangerous but forests benefit from them. In fact, some plants and trees, such as the White Bark Pines found in the Bald Hills actually require fire in order to germinate.
“The Bald Hills fire allows Parks to meet both its ecological and risk management objectives at the same time,” he said.” The fire enhances forest health by regenerating endangered white bark pine and the burnt areas will provide a future natural fire break within the Beaver Valley.”
This fire, like the other three fires that have captured the attention of Park’;s firefighters, was generated by a lightning strike. Two spot fires in Mount Revelstoke National were swiftly extinguished.
If you see a wildfire in one of the national parks please report it by calling 1-877-852-3100.
A lightning-caused fire spreads out of the Beaver Valley towards the Bald Hills. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoSub-alpine trees provide fuel for the fire and embers can carry the fire over the summit to another valley. By burning these pockets of trees ahead of the fire, Parks Canada fire crews remove the risk of the Bald Hills fire spreading into the adjacent valley. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoA member of a Parks Canada initial attack fire crew watches the flames climb into the air after igniting a cluster of trees ahead of the Bald Hills Fire thus preventing uncontrolled fire spread. The eastern side of Mount Sir Donald can be seen in the background. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoParks Canada fire crews (lower right corner) watch as the flames soar high above the Bald Hills. The burnt areas will serve as a natural fire break. Fire crews can stand closer to fires than most as they wear appropriate protective clothing to protect them from fire and are trained professionals. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoSmoke from the fire creates an eerie but beautiful atmosphere for Parks Canada fire crews. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoSmoke from the fire creates an eerie but beautiful atmosphere for Parks Canada fire crews. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photoA Parks Canada boundary sign marks the eastern edge of Glacier National Park. Simon Hunt/Parks Canada photoSimon Hunt, Parks Canada Fire Management Officer, oversees the work done by crews and is pleased at the progress. Simon takes and uses photos to document fire activity and fire management — he shares some of these with the public in order to increase understanding of Parks Canada fire management practices. Dave Smith/Parks Canada photoWhen the fire is over there are still needles on the trees but the dead, dry fuel is gone. In the distance, verga clouds are spotted over Mount Sir Donald – verga clouds indicate rain evaporating before it hits the ground. Simon Hunt/Parks Canada photoAt the end of a long work day, the Parks Canada fire crew heads home. The crew for this fire is a combination of initial attack fire crews from Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. Simon Hunt /Parks Canada photo
